Leon Russell

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About Leon Russell

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 13, 2016) – Leon Russell, born Claude Russell Bridges, who sang, wrote and produced some of rock ‘n’ roll’s top records, passed away Sunday, Nov. 13 at the age of 74.

Leon Russell is a music legend and perhaps the most accomplished and versatile musician in the history of rock ‘n roll. In his distinguished and unique 50 year career, he has played on, arranged, written and/or produced some of the best records in popular music.

Born in southwest Oklahoma in 1942, Leon began piano lessons at age 4. He was playing in Tulsa nightclubs at the age of 14. After graduating from high school, Leon’s band, The Starlighters, went on the road with Jerry Lee Lewis. Leon left Tulsa at the age of 17 for Los Angeles where he began playing in the L.A. clubs and eventually became one of the best session musicians in Hollywood. He worked with the best Hollywood producers and top musicians in the business.

Leon became part of an elite group of studio musicians called the Wrecking Crew and played on hundreds of hit records in the 1960’s. He was part of studio groups such as The Routers and The Super Stocks. The Routers recorded the huge hit “Let’s Go” and The Super Stocks recorded surf and hot rod tunes. In 1964, Leon was a member of the the house band on the Shindig! show on ABC television which showcased the top pop acts.

Leon built a recording studio in his home in 1967 where he and Marc Benno recorded songs which were released on two critically acclaimed records as the ‘Asylum Choir’.

Leon co-produced, arranged, and played piano, organ, and guitar on Joe Cocker’s second album, ‘Joe Cocker!’ in 1969. He also recorded and toured with ‘Delaney & Bonnie & Friends’.

Leon founded Shelter Records with partner Denny Cordell and released Leon’s first solo album, “Leon Russell” in May, 1970. It included Beatles George Harrison and Ringo Starr, Rolling Stones Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts, Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, and Klaus Voorman. The album contained classic Leon songs, ‘A Song For You’, along with ‘Hummingbird’, and ‘Delta Lady’.

Shelter Records was home for not only Leon but many other artists such as Freddie King, Don Nix, J.J. Cale, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Gap Band, Dwight Twilley and Phoebe Snow. Leon played on and produced three Shelter albums for blues guitarist Freddie King.

As a songwriter, Leon’s songs have hit the charts across all genres and have been covered by a diverse range of artists. Ray Charles recorded ‘A Song For You’, B.B. King had a hit with ‘Hummingbird’, The Carpenters with ‘Superstar’ and Joe Cocker with ‘Delta Lady’. The Carpenter’s cover of “Superstar”, written by Leon and Bonnie Bramlett, went to #2 on the pop music charts. George Benson won the “Record of the Year” Grammy in 1976 for his cover of Leon’s song, “This Masquerade”, and it became the first song in music history to hit #1 on the jazz, pop and R&B charts.

Leon organized and led the band behind Joe Cocker for the famous “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour of the U.S. in March-May, 1970. The huge 11 member band included 3 drummers and a 10 member choir which played 65 shows in 48 cities. The tour was filmed for the movie “Mad Dogs & Englishmen”. The live double-LP album on A&M Records reached #2 on the U.S. album charts and sold over a million copies. Leon was part of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends.

On August 1st, 1971, Leon joined George Harrison and friends for two performances of the Concert For Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden in New York to raise money for refugees. His “Jumpin’ Jack Flash/Youngblood” medley was considered the highlight of the show by some. The album won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

Leon’s first solo album to earn a Gold record was “Leon Russell and The Shelter People” (1971). The “Carney” album, released in 1972, would be his best seller and included the single, “Tight Rope” which reached #11 on the pop music charts.

By 1972, Leon was a major concert attraction. Billboard Magazine named Leon the top concert attraction for 1973. His concert at Long Beach, CA on August 28, 1972 was recorded and released on the triple-LP album ‘Leon Live’ which rose to #9 on the pop charts.

Leon released the second Asylum Choir album, ‘Asylum Choir II”, in 1972 from songs recorded years earlier.

At the height of his popularity as a rock star, Leon released a country music album, “Hank Wilson’s Back” under the name Hank Wilson on August 31st 1973.

His last Shelter Records studio album, “Will O’ The Wisp” (1975), included the hit single “Lady Blue” (#14 on the charts) and went Gold. “The Best Of Leon” was released in 1976 and earned a 6th Gold Record.

Leon founded Paradise Records a Warner Bros. label and released albums from 1976-84 such as “The Wedding Album”, “Make Love To The Music”, “Americana”, “Life And Love”, “Solid State” and “Hank Wilson Vol. II”.

Leon co-hosted with Willie Nelson, the first of Willie’s 4th of July picnics. Leon has continued to be a regular performer at Willie’s picnics through the years. Leon joined Willie on tour and they teamed in 1979 for the country album, “One For The Road”, which earned a Gold record and was honored by the Country Music Association with a nomination for “Album Of The Year”. The album included the song “Heartbreak Hotel” that won the Grammy Award in 1980 for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

In 1980-81, Leon toured with the New Grass Revival and released the ‘Live Album’ from their performances. In 1984 Leon released his second country album under the Hank Wilson name, “Hank Wilson Vol. II”.

Leon and Edgar Winter toured together in the late 1980’s. In 1992, he teamed up with Bruce Hornsby (producer) for the album “Anything Can Happen” released on Virgin Records. Edgar Winter also played on the album. In 1998 “Hank Wilson Vol. 3: Legend In My Time” and 1999’s “Face In The Crowd”. In 2001, Russell played with Earl Scruggs and Friends on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” which earned a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental Performance.

Leon joined a number of artists in honoring Willie Nelson on his 70th birthday celebration at the Beacon Theatre in New York city in April, 2003. Leon performed his classic ‘A Song For You’ with Willie and Ray Charles and also sang “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. The show was filmed for the special “Willie Nelson: Live and Kickin”.

In April 2006, Leon was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Bare Bones International Film Festival. In October 2006, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

Leon performed at the 2010 Grammys with the Zac Brown Band. He performed with Elton John at Music Cares honoring Neil Young in January 2010.

Leon and Sir Elton John released, The Union, a duet album produced by TBone Burnett in October, 2010. The single “If It Wasn’t For Bad” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

Leon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March, 2011 and inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in June, 2011.

Universal Music released Leon’s album, Life Journey, on April 1, 2014. Life Journey, produced by Tommy LiPuma, is a collection of standards along with two original songs by Leon.

Leon’s records from his own record label, Leon Russell Records, include:

“Rhythm & Bluegrass: Hank Wilson vol. 4”, a collection of songs recorded in the 1980’s with the New Grass Revival

“A Mighty Flood”, an album of inspirational songs

“Angel In Disguise”

“In Your Dreams”

“Bad Country”

“Almost Piano” (instrumental)

“Best Of Hank Wilson”

“SnapShot”

Leon continues to write songs, record, and thrill audiences on his non-stop tour across the U.S. Leon’s son Teddy Jack, and daughters Sugaree and Tina Rose have previously been in his band and toured with him. His bass player, Jack Wessel, has been in his band for 33 years.

What Passengers Think

My husband and I took a chance and booked our first ever cruise in December 2011 after listening to a radio commercial about a cruise with ZZ Top, George Thorogood and John Kay playing and cruising with us (among many other great bands!). This was “Woodstock on Water”! We have been on every one since and have made many new friends who we correspond with throughout the year and look forward to seeing every year. There should be a different word than “Cruise” to describe this because it does not compare to a standard cruise by any means. Seeing- greeting-hugging-taking pictures with so many of our idols – PRICELESS!! Pam and the NAHA staff do an outstanding job and we always book as soon as each cruise booking opens – no need to wait to see who will be rockin’ us! If you like classic and southern rock and have not booked this cruise, do not wait or you’ll miss out. It sells out earlier every year. (Love to all the Dfers and FB Rock Legends Cruise Fans and FB Rock Legends Cruise Party’ers!)

Judy Diaz, DON'T MISS OUT!

This was my 5th RLC out of 6 and will be on the next one in 2019. It is the only way to do a cruise and one of the best ways to have an over the top rock ‘n roll experience. There are three venues with shows going on from 10 am to past 12 midnight – every day! Once you’re done for the night, the convenience of your cabin is just steps away. The RLC lineup speaks for itself. There is so much talent, legends and upcoming rockers, on the ship! The people, your fellow rockers, are all there for the same reason – rock ‘n roll! Don’t be surprised if you run into a few rock stars on the elevator or just hanging out watching a show.

L. Kelly, Best Rock'n Roll Experience

All proceeds from Rock Legends Cruise go to the Native American Heritage Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and providing basic life necessities to families living on Reservations in South Dakota.